Rapid Ohia Death

Description

A new fungal pathogen known as Rapid Ohia Death (Ceratocystis fimbriata*) was identified on Hawaii Island in 2014. The fungus attacks and can quickly kill ohia trees (Metrosideros polymorpha). Ohia is endemic to Hawaii and comprises approximately 80% of Hawaii’s native forests. *Note: the species of Ceratocystis fungi that cause Rapid Ohia Death has since been recognized as two distinct species; Ceratocystis huliohia (ROD canker disease) and C. lukuohia (ROD wilt disease), with significantly different pathologies – although both ultimately lead to tree mortality. Also, as of December, 2018, both strains of Ceratocyctis fungi which cause Rapid Ohia Death have been confirmed to exist on the island of Kauai.

Impacts and Distribution

In 2015, the HISC awarded funds to the University of Hawaii to support a post-doctoral researcher to assist an interagency team of scientists in the Hilo area (including the University of Hawaii, USDA Agriculture Research Station, and US Forest Service) to study how this disease is transmitted and to find potential treatment options.

The Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources has issued a press release regarding Rapid Ohia Death and produced the video brochure below detailing the importance of this issue. The Hawaii Department of Agriculture (HDOA) has implemented a quarantine for ohia products on Hawaii Island to limit the spread of this fungus.

For more information, see:

*Note: the species of Ceratocystis fungi that cause Rapid Ohia Death has since been recognized as two distinct species; Ceratocystis huliohia (ROD canker disease) and C. lukuohia (ROD wilt disease), with significantly different pathologies – although both ultimately lead to tree mortality. Also, as of December, 2018, both strains of Ceratocyctis fungi which cause Rapid Ohia Death have been confirmed to exist on the island of Kauai.